Statement by Ambassador Karel J.G. van Oosterom on Sustainable Development

Statement by H.E. Karel J.G. van Oosterom

Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the
United Nations

Sixty-eight session - Second Committee

Agenda item 19: Sustainable Development

New York, 5th November 2013

Mr. Chairman,

The Netherlands fully aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.

Mr. Chairman,

For the Netherlands, making a comprehensive and sustainable post-2015
development agenda with support of all member states is a high priority.

The recent Special Event on the Millennium Development Goals was an important
step towards realising the MDGs and exploring the post-2015 development agenda.
We support a coherent approach that integrates the three dimensions of
sustainable development, with the eradication of poverty at its core, as
expressed by Fiji on behalf of G77. A single universal framework would also
include peace and security, gender equality, human rights, the rule of law and
democratic governance.

Our mission statement is “Kingdom of the Netherlands, your partner for peace,
justice and development”. We want to be a partner in sharing expertise and
experience in these areas with UN and other countries to accelerate action on
sustainable development and contribute to the post 2015-agenda discussions.

We agree that the so called ‘unfinished business’ of the MDG agenda should be
an integral part of the post-2015 development agenda. We should continue to
focus on the disparities in achieving the MDG’s we must make sure that no one is
left behind.

Mr. Chairman,

We consider climate change as one of the major challenges for sustainable
development and poverty eradication. We should aim for low-emission economies
and climate resilient development.

We welcome the initiative of the UN Secretary-General to host a ‘leaders’
summit’ in 2014 with all stakeholders to accelerate action towards a carbon-free
economy.

Mr. Chairman,

In my country we have always been in a struggle against water. One third of
my country is below sea-level. One of the greatest threats of climate change is
sea level rise. The Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is also
facing increased risks of climate change, like flooding and the severe impact
and damage of hurricanes.

We attach high priority to adaptation to climate change, especially in the
most vulnerable countries, like Least Developed Countries, CARICOM member
countries and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). We support the
statement of Papua New Guinea on behalf of SIDS on this issue. We contribute to
initiatives that make those countries more resilient to the impact of climate
change.

We also support regional cooperation frameworks in tackling climate change
like the CARICOM framework to Climate Change and the recent adoption of the
Majuro Declaration during the Pacific Island Forum. We support the statement of
Maldives on this issue.

In preparation of the UN SIDS conference in September 2014, the Netherlands
will organize a conference on these topics with the Small Island Development
States in the spring of next year.

For centuries the Netherlands has developed technical experience and
innovative solutions in water management to protect our sea and river shores
against flooding. We are ready to share our expertise with countries and other
partners as much as we can.